FMCSA Nominee Barrs Touts Workforce, Supply Chain
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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration outlined his strategy for boosting safety and efficiency across the commercial transportation sector during a congressional hearing July 16.
Derek Barrs, a former Florida Highway Patrol chief with more than three decades in public safety, is recognized as an authority on commercial vehicle safety. At his , Barrs touted the Trump administration’s approach toward improving connectivity along supply chain corridors. He also shared details about his management style.
“My work has always emphasized open communication and collaboration — with industry, law enforcement and safety organizations,” he told the senators. “I understand that FMCSA’s actions impact an entire industry, and I am committed to ensuring that agency decisions are informed, balanced and transparent. If confirmed, I will continue to strengthen relationships between government and stakeholders, working together on our shared goal of improving roadway safety, as well as addressing critical safety issues.”
Barrs also emphasized his personal commitment toward pushing recruitment and retention campaigns as well as meeting the safety needs of drivers in the freight workforce. At FMCSA, he pledged to “ensure that FMCSA operates with the highest levels of integrity, transparency, accountability and efficiency.”
“This includes upholding proper management and accounting controls, ensuring effective stewardship of federal resources, and maintaining strong internal oversight mechanisms to support the agency’s mission of reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses,” Barrs wrote in a requisite questionnaire from the committee.
If confirmed by the Senate, he would join the Department of Transportation at a time when Congress is drafting comprehensive surface transportation policy. This so-called highway bill would approve programs and projects associated with commercial transportation operations.
Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) applauded the nominee’s long record promoting safety along the nation’s mobility corridors.
“As a young deputy sheriff in Florida, Mr. Barrs responded to a nighttime collision between a logging truck and a car full of young adults. Ever since, he has spent his career working to improve large truck and motor carrier safety. Mr. Barrs served for nearly three decades in law enforcement, rising from deputy sheriff to head of Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
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“He is deeply familiar with FMCSA, having enforced federal motor vehicle regulations and managed FMCSA grants in the state. As administrator of FMCSA, he hopes to modernize the regulations governing the nation’s trucking and busing industries.”
Members of the committee pressed the nominee on truck safety programs as well as emerging technologies under the agency’s watch. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) raised concerns linked to insufficient parking for truck drivers in Nevada. She argued that addressing this long-standing industry concern would “really help our supply chain just move more quickly through the country.”
Congress has debated parking-centric provisions as part of comprehensive transportation and infrastructure legislation. This month, House Republicans approved fiscal 2026 transportation funding legislation that would dedicate $200 million for truck parking projects. The funding measure awaits consideration on the floor of the chamber.
RELATED:Truck Parking, Multimodal Projects Among $488M in DOT Grants
Specific to emerging technologies, Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) argued that industries would benefit from a framework for regulating autonomous vehicle systems.
“For years, we’ve seen this industry grow with advancements in technology and engineering standards,” he said.
Congress has debated AV proposals in recent years. The Senate panel has jurisdiction over federal trucking rules and regulations. A committee vote to approve his nomination has yet to be scheduled.
American Trucking Associations is among the groups endorsing the nominee. ATA President Chris Spear said earlier this year: “Derek’s extensive public service at the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Highway Patrol make him exceptionally well qualified to be FMCSA administrator. He has a proven track record of strengthening ties between the trucking industry and public safety officers to address top transportation challenges such as drug impairment, cargo theft and human trafficking.”
(American Trucking Associations via LinkedIn)
In a , the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association expressed its support.
“FMCSA plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of our nation’s roadways by regulating commercial motor vehicles,” said Timothy Blubaugh, the group’s executive vice president. “Its members have a long-standing collaborative relationship with FMCSA and DOT, providing data and other technical input on research and rulemakings involving heavy-duty safety technologies. We aim to continue working with FMCSA under Mr. Barrs’ leadership to further enhance commercial vehicle safety.”
